Exhibition | Conference | Workshops | Matchmaking
Demonstrations | Tasting and testing | Networking with producers and others
Investment and trade opportunities | ABS regulatory discussions
Indigenous plant products and ingredients for food, health and beauty
The African Biotrade Festival (ABF) is a vibrant marketplace connecting local, regional and international buyers, traders, consumers, business support organisations, relevant government and development agencies, and investors with producers, suppliers and researchers in Africa’s indigenous plant-based product and ingredients sector.
At this gateway event to over 550 SMMEs, exhibitors and visitors, international buyers and investors, amongst the 4000 expo visitors expected, will be exposed to:
- Africa’s indigenous biological resources, new products and ingredient innovations
- Investment-ready African companies that are complying with national and international market regulations
- A two-day conference and workshop programme covering diverse topics on blended finance, market access, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and more.
- Policymakers, regulators and industry associations supporting ease of doing business and driving the competitiveness of Africa’s biotrade economy.
- Industry data and information to track dynamic trends around key biotrade species.
- Understand legal and regulatory Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) compliance.
- 3rd Organics and Natural Products Expo.
- A social dialogue platform to create conversations around people, plants and place.
- The launch of the BioPANZA.
The 1st African Biotrade Festival took place on 14-16 September 2023. You can read the festival summary report here.
Conference and workshop session overviews
Market Access Cluster session – 18 September at 13:30
This session will showcase sector-wide and enterprise-specific characteristics of the biotrade, as well as developments and lessons learned over the past five years. Participants will hear from sector experts on the technical and financial needs of companies seeking to access markets for natural plant ingredients and products.
After the presentations, delegates will be invited to join a collaborative workshop to refine the enterprise categories and criteria based on their maturity level in relation to their business life cycle and positioning within the respective biotrade value chains that could serve as a referral tool for BioPANZA clusters from 2026.
Biodiversity Monitoring Tool (BioMoT) session – 19 September at 09:00 – 10:00
The public and private sectors are looking to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for analysis and forecasting, to boost productivity, find new markets, map research and innovation, identify trends, maximise profits and streamline operations
This session asks if a tailored self-learning biotrade-focussed tool might be the way to drive a dynamic African biotrade.
Finance Cluster session – 18 September 2025 at 15:30 – 17:00
Join this session to learn about the work of the Finance Cluster and be part of a dialogue on how the Finance Cluster can support growth, transformation and innovation in the biotrade sector. Emerging opportunities in the marula fruit sector will be used as an example to enable dialogue based on a specific and practical case, but having relevance for the wider biotrade sector.
In this session, you will hear directly from SMMEs and sector experts about growth, transformation and innovation opportunities with marula fruit, and also the challenges, and what the funding and technical assistance needs are. Your participation will contribute to the work of the Finance Cluster, including planning for the work of cluster members in 2026 and onwards.
Contact
Please email abf@giz.de for further info, or to discuss opportunities to participate in the festival.
Practical Information
ABF admin office
For any queries and problems during the event, please visit the African Biotrade Festival admin office.
How to get to the Sandton Convention Centre from OR Tambo Airport:
Gautrain
Take the Gautrain from OR Tambo Airport Station to Sandton Station.
Journey time: about 15 minutes.
Cost: around R70–80.
From Sandton Station, the convention centre is a 5-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Trains run every 10–12 minutes during peak hours.
Self-driving
Take the R21 north, then M1 north to Sandton.
Journey time: 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Parking is available at the convention centre.
Uber/Bolt
Direct ride to the convention centre.
Journey time: 30–45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Cost: R300–500 depending on service type and surge pricing.
Most convenient door-to-door option.
Parking
Parking will be available at the following sites:
Sandton City Parking Entrance 1
Sandton City Parking Entrance 2
Mandela Square Entrance
Note: the best parking rate is R70 per day, with vouchers provided by Sandton Convention Centre management. Vouchers will be available from the ABF admin office. Valid at Sandton City, Mandela Square, and SCC parking.
If parking is less than 6 hours, the machines work out cheaper.
